We continue our look at the Philadelphia Union depth chart by taking a look at the defenders.

As a defender myself, in a family of defenders, building a team based on a strong defense is something that I would make me very happy. Jim Curtin has said that is how he wants to play, so let's have a look at the players he'll use to form that sturdy back line.

Vegas has not been kind to the Union, giving them the worst odds to win the MLS Cup this season.

The fine folks over at Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook have released their odds to win the MLS Cup, and needless to say the Philadelphia Union are not favorites to win this year. Clearly not impressed with the team's off-season acquisition of Steven Vitoria, the odds-makers list the Union at 50/1 - good enough for dead last on their list, tied with the Colorado Rapids, San Jose Earthquakes and Montreal Impact.

The Philadelphia Union's quiet winter seems to be over. With Carlos Valdes going to Uruguay's Nacional last Friday, the Union have brought in Benfica center back Stephen Vitoria on loan through the end of the 2015 season "pending the receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate.

The Expansion Draft is the next order of business for the Philadelphia Union. With only the opportunity to lose players, who would you protect to minimize the damage?

The Union will begin an offseason needing to add players, but instead potentially losing some in the Expansion Draft. With NYCFC and Orlando City joining the fold next season, the Union will look to keep valuable assets.

Jim Curtin invited us to look at Edu's record as a center back. So we did.

In a recent interview with Dave Zeitlin for MLSSoccer.com, Philadelphia Union manager Jim Curtin expressed a desire to bring back Maurice Edu and pair him with Carlos Valdes at center back. He's licking his chops at the thought of the All Star caliber center back tandem shutting down the likes of Kaka and David Villa.

The Rest

The Colombian center back gave an interview to Caracol Deportes Radio and spoke of his current situation with Nacional as well as possible future situations with Santa Fe, Junior FC, and yes - Major League Soccer.

In an interview on Colombian radio Monday, Carlos Valdés cleared up some of the rumors that have been circling him for the past couple of days.

The Colombian center back's move to the Uruguayan Primera Division was made official today.

Carlos Valdes is officially back in South America.

The Union confirmed today that the rumors we first heard back in January from Juan Arango were indeed true. The 29-year-old center back will go on loan to Uruguayan side Nacional for the entirety of 2015.